Me and Marilyn Monroe

Last Monday I had a great tour of the Marilyn Monroe exhibit at the Women’s Museum at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Her clothing was so "Marilyn" and photographs were great! You don’t want to miss this exhibit – and all the rest of the museum full of wonderful stories of neat women throughout Texas history. I stepped outside with my friend Evy Kay Ritzen who was with me and our group of 99 women who make up the class of 2006 Leadership Texas. It was our last session in Dallas – our graduation.

We listened for a minute to the Marine Corps Band! Evy Kay and I decided to walk over to see another old building on the State Fair Campus… and instead of taking the sidewalk – we took a shortcut across the grass. I had on new and oh so cool high wedges and immediately took a bad tumble. My friends heard a crack, I gracefully sat on the ground and then the story began…. my first ride in an ambulance, a visit to Baylor Emergency with fellow LT sisters, Evy Kay and Penny Beaumont, and of course, a broken ankle and new crutches.

So, to make a long story short, I received this wonderful insight from Edward Smith who said to “Incorporate "after action reviews" into your life.” He explained that the military uses these to analyze how an operation went after the fact. You can use these same questions to review how things are going in your life. This prevents you from making the same mistakes over and over again, and builds on your successes.

These are the questions they ask and how I would answer them after the fact:
1. What was our objective? Evy and I wanted to get to the DAR Museum to peek inside as fast as we could before the buses left for the Dallas Arboretum, where we were to enjoy the gardens and dinner.
2. What actually happened? We stepped off the sidewalk to take a shortcut across the grass in my cute new high heels and I broke my ankle.
3. Why did it happen? I did not calculate the risks for swiftly walking into uneven grass in heels. I took a shortcut.
4. What are we going to do next time? Take the sidewalk – sometimes taking a shortcut has its consequences. Also, I will gingerly consider when and where to wear my cute high heels. My husband Ben says, “Get rid of the heels Jackie! You are a significant even without the heels!” Thanks Ben!

(As I write this, I am longingly looking at my beautiful closet full of beautiful high heels balanced on my crutches….and thinking about Marilyn Monroe.)

“We are here facing the unexpected” …. An Amish Pastor

I don’t think the war on terror is just about a bunch of jihads anymore. Sure, the jihads are who you think of when you think about terrorists, but we are under attack right here in our own country by people who are as American as apple pie.

These are the people who massacre and molest our daughters right here inside our schools; and these are the 40 million US citizens who view and trade in child pornography regularly at the rate of $12 billion a year; and last but not least, those who traffic children for sexual purposes. Milk men, congressmen and doctors do it…right under our noses next door. People who are considered reputable in their community put their children on the bus in the morning with big hugs and kisses, and then proceed to kill little girls execution style and then commit suicide themselves. What’s wrong with this picture?

It’s strange and unsettling to think that these crimes happen in predominantly white suburban/rural schools and are executed by middle class Americans whose excuses range from, “We were molested as children” to “We were bullied and we are mad” to “We were haunted in our dreams by actions of our past, and compelled to rape and plunder”. There is something very dark and sinister here... something that is very unexpected.

People are caught every day possessing and dealing in pornography and never serve a day in jail. Why? I repeat – US congressmen instant messaging sexually explicit words to pages in our nations capital, fathers murdering children, students shooting their fellow classmates, doctors dealing in child pornography – what are they thinking? How can they think what they are thinking? Can no one notice their strange and warped behavior? And are they too afraid to speak out if they do see it? Have we become a country of people who say “It’s not our business – so I’m going to keep my mouth shut?”

Please go look at the statistics in Texas - they are appalling and disgusting - and they will not make you proud - The Texas Council on Family violence - http://www.tcfv.org/info/abuse_in_texas.html.

And then promise yourself that you will realize how sick this is and do something to change the future.

And there is a way. There is a sector in our society that does work every day to combat the ills of society- they are called nonprofits and we have put the burden on them to raise the human spirit in every way. There are organizations in every cityin the state.

Some I know about are:

In Dallas there are the The Genesis Women's Shelter offers theraputic counceling to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault at no cost, and they raise community awareness about the persuasiveness and effects of domestic violence (214-946-HELP); The Suicide & Crisis Center helps those who suffer from hopelessness, isolation, anxiety and shame (214-828-1000).; and proactively The Heart House serves children with a free after school program that helps give them the tools to succeed as healthy productive adults (214-750-7637).
In San Antonio, The Alpha Home focuses on the treatment of women who suffer from addiction that coincides with emotional, physical and sexual abuse (210-735-3822).

Gerogetown - The Georgetown Project is dedicated to building a healthier community for their children and youth by mobilizing the community to a coordinated action (512-864-7799).

Yes – we are facing the unexpected – but we can prevail and we must take responsibility for the violent behavior that seems to be saturating our society. We need to help those who need our help. Support your local nonprofits today.

The cornerstone of the Texas philanthropic community

For the last six years, TXNP has been the cornerstone of the Texas philanthropic community- always reliable, dependable, accessible, and ready and willing to help. Through its website and database, TXNP has developed an accessible and powerful technology that accelerates information sharing and collaboration across Texas. TXNP’s utilization of technology to connect, inform, and empower the nonprofit community and to disseminate credible and complete information crucial to strengthening nonprofit infrastructure and assisting funders in making more strategic funding decisions has enabled it to emerge as the “go-to” resource for the nonprofit sector.

Since launching the site, TexasNonprofits has:

· had over 125,000 unique visitors to the site in the last two years, up to 1.1 million hits per month, and over 6,500 weekly e-newsletter subscribers, all with no marketing
· developed the finest online foundation database in the state, containing more than 80,000 IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations and over 4,200 foundations in
Texas including the top 50 national foundations that give within the state
· published over 600 articles written by seasoned national consultants, nonprofits, and funders
· compiled RFP, wish list, volunteer, trustee, and job directories
· created a Virtual Guide to Texas Resource Centers, connecting Texas nonprofit organizations with resource centers and training throughout the State
· cultivated strong personal relationships with over 65% of the top 200 Texas foundations
· been a proponent of and partner in nonprofit capacity building, encouraging social responsibility, informed decision-making, and open dialogue

The quality and level of integration of our current services speak well of our organization. Our ongoing personal method of customer service, support capability and reputation, the cost effectiveness and cost savings of our services, and the expertise and experience we possess have become trademarks of TXNP and have drawn people to our site. TexasNonprofits is becoming a household name throughout the Texas nonprofit sector, securing its place as the definitive source of information on Texas philanthropy and the premier nonprofit clearinghouse of Texas.

We firmly believe that as our audience grows, so must our services. Our mission is to improve the lives of Texans by strengthening the capacity of nonprofits via the Internet. Our newsletter is designed to educate, stimulate, and connect those in the philanthropic sector.

We educate thru articles related to good management, fundraising, and marketing practices for nonprofits. We take many ideas used in the business world and translate them for nonprofits.We stimulate by identifying ideas of interest to nonprofits, showing them successful results and stimulating ideas to enhance creative solutions. We connect by writing in-depth stories about foundations and what projects they fund and why. We tell stories that link charitable causes to donors. When used effectively, our newsletter can give nonprofits the informaton, resources, and ideas that, when put to practice, can build their capacity and bolster a strong infrastructure. Improving the quality of our newsletter will allow us to further engage our readers and subscribers with enticing information that can greatly foster and reviatlize their organization’s efforts.

Won't you JOIN TXNP today?

Introducing TXNP.3 – absolutely new and cool!

In our continual quest to improve our services we evolved – AGAIN! We believe that ideas come from some form of what already is. Innovation comes from the basis of an existing idea combined with something completely unexpected to produce an intriguing fresh idea. Today intersectional innovation is at an all time high as the world is so connected – so change is inevitable. As it is with TXNP, creative ideas can spread like a virus when all the right ingredients have come together into the intersection at the right time and place.

Welcome to TXNP.3! This version is the result of much thought and collaboration seasoned with great ideas harvested from foundations, corporations, and our members. The new site will simplify fundraising for our members with the new data bases, and members’ dashboard we have built to present all the information to members easily and quickly so that their valuable time can be spent on accomplishing their mission instead of fighting a painfully slow database.
Information on our homepage is updated every time new information is added thanks to new dynamic code. So news is fresh and relevant.

We have new sections of the site that will offer change that is fueled from groundbreaking originality that will allow nonprofits to leapfrog long and arduous research and quite possibly create new playing fields. The site and the fresh new data bases were designed and built by Dino Buiatti of New York and Marcos Hernandez of San Antonio.

We believe that we are innovators in the realm of information delivery and technology. But we promise that we have not forgotten you as individuals who, as part of the wheel that keeps this American machine moving steadily forward. We are honored to serve you.

Remembering Ann Richards

Please read this letter sent from Gretchen Ritter out to the faculty and students at the Center for Women's and Gender Studies at UT Austin:

Dear Friends,

We are all very saddened by the news of Governor Ann Richards' passing. She was an extraordinary woman, who enriched the lives of many. In addition to being the first woman elected governor of Texas on her own terms, Richards was one of the founders of the Foundation for Women's Resources, Leadership Texas, and the Women's Museum.

As her good friend Cathy Bonner said to the press last night, "Ann Richards is one of the most important women in American history. She came to political leadership at a time when women had to overcome all kinds of barriers and obstacles to get there. And she did it with determination, and good luck, and a real focus. She lived under a star, and she always felt like she lived under a star because she said, 'No matter what, I have had the most wonderful life, and I have gotten to do things that I never dreamed in my young life, living in little Lakeview, Texas.' "

As many of you know, Richards taught a course for some of our undergraduates last fall on Women, Life and Leadership. We felt very privileged to be able to offer that extraordinary opportunity to our students. She was also a supporter of the Center, as one of the original members of the CWGS 300 Club started by Lucia Gilbert on the mid-1990s.

Her family has asked that memorial donations be directed to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders - which Richards was instrumental in starting last year. You can send your gifts to the Austin Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5159,Austin, Texas 78763, 512-472-4483, or by email: www.austincommunityfoundation.org.

Gretchen Ritter, PhD/ Director, Center for Women's & Gender Studies/ Associate Professor of Government & Gender Studies/ University of Texas at Austin
To learn more about this center visit http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/cwgs.

Something for funders to think about - important

Last week I met a young Trinity University student who is very interested in pursuing a career in the nonprofit world. She has everything it takes to be quite an asset to the industry. Intelligent, focused, business like, empathetic, and nice…..she is looking at going the nonprofit way with her marketing degree from the best liberal arts college in the region.

Telling her father about this on a recent trip home, the successful businessman asked, “OK sweetheart, you can pursue this passion to help the world out, but how will you pay the bills? You know nonprofit incomes aren’t enough to live on.” Good point! She stepped back to think about her options. Perhaps she should give the decision a little more time?

I can’t believe we are letting this happen every day. These extremely bright young people have great for profit options. Companies are hungry for talent that have liberal arts backgrounds because they can mix business principles with history and the arts, and the creativity that comes form these things when combined.

And it does have to do with salaries….because mortgages must b e paid, kids need to be educated, and mouths need to be fed. Working in the nonprofit world does not mean you are a nonprofit now, does it? In order to attract young talent we have got to pay reasonable wages.

We need this talent and we need to reward good work. After all, more and more we are realizing that it’s not going to be the government or politicians who make the changes we need to make – it’s US!!! So please funders, understand that nonprofits need a little help to attract and hire the best so that they can design and implement the best of the best! Do it now, or we’ll loose them to for profits.

Leap of Americans Without Health Care Not Confined to Low Income Groups

It was surprising to hear this week that our health care system is serving fewer and fewer of us each year... omitting segments of our society that we would naturally assume would enjoy care.

The US Census Bureau announced this week that 1.3 million Americans lost health care in the last five years, and the number of Americans who have no health insurance at all has grown to 6.8 million. This is a jump from 39.8 million in 2000 to 46.6 million in 2005.

You would think that this jump was mainly due to increases in segments of the society that are less affluent. Wrong! This year's increse was mainly concentrated in young households with incomes more than $50,000.

Dr. Henry Simmons, President of the National Coalition on Health Care said, "These surging uninsurance rates are not the result of a poor economy. On the contrary, these increases have taken place despite robust economic growth. The latest jump in the number of Americans unprotected by health coverage is a clear signal that what we are doing now is not working. We need, without delay, a major national debate about how to address America's health care crisis before the crisis deepens further."

Getting on a plane soon? Here are the rules...

There is alot of conversation going around about what you can take on a plane and what you can't these days.....and then there are the screening rules, and the hours and so on.

The Transportation Secruity Administration have published guidelines for about every kind of transportation known to man. Go take a look at their site - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers. It's really well done and explains everything you need to know before going to the airport, getting on a ship, a train or even a bus or subway.

If you take these steps proactively you won't have any surprises to complain about and you will be protecting your most valuable asset - yourself!

A slight oversight I noticed though - they don't have any rules for riding a horse!

I vow I will Diet & Exercise Now!! But did you say you have nachos and margaritas now?

I promise - right this minute I'm going to start an all out exercise program and a new healthy diet!! I absolutely swear I'll do because I want to be healthy and in great shape! Let me run go put on my exercise gear and I'll be right back. What did you just whisper? OK - so ...... did you just say you had margaritas in the blender and bean and cheese nachos and a bowl of fresh guacamole?! Ok - be right there.....uhhhh ....the diet???? How 'bout tomorrow - and maybe I'll start exercising tomorrow too.... Uh oh - I have that meeting tomorrow morning at that terrific mexican food place....I have to have their papas rancheros! I love them so much!! Maybe after breakfast then....

Does that sound familiar? I think I do this about twice a week. Then I have to start remembering - Jackie - you have tasted that before - you know exactly what it tastes like and you will have it again soon if you just do what I (my concience) tells you!!! You must take responsibility for your health now.... no more excuses! I kept dancing this dance until I visited Lubbock's and heard Dr. Paula Grammas, the doctor who is so deep into the study of Alzheimer's disease. We also had the opportunity to visit a home that is also a research center for the disease. Precious older people in various stages of dementia convinced me that I would take action now to make sure I have a very long and fruitful life and know that I am doing it.

I want you to know that I came home and cleaned up my life! Exercise every day and good diet – no more "tomorrow". I am making changes today because I have a lot to do! When I am where I really want to be - bring on those nachos!!! But until then bring on the spices and the herbs....and the hot sauce!

Have you ever thought that you a part of a magnificent fine tuned socially responsible machine?

It was a goal of our founding fathers. A creative way to leverage change…. encouraging social connectedness and assuming responsibility for the quality of life all our citizens have.

Our Democratic fathers encouraged all of us to invest in our infrastructure to promote positive and strategic solutions to drive change.

It means that when people with a common purpose unite for a common goal, more is accomplished than by a lone person trying to accomplish something. More research can be carried out, more people can be educated and more good can be attained. Knowledge feeds off of knowledge. When people have the right to, and take advantage of their right to unite - so many great things are accomplished.

Apply this to philanthropy. You have wealthy individuals with the intent to make change opt to contribute a portion of their assets into a vehicle called a foundation. They define their mission and goals with the purpose of dispersing a portion of its value annually to nonprofits that mirror their mission. It’s two entities coming together – one with funds and the other with the capability of transforming communities.

By working together instead of apart, doors to funding are more readily opened as granting institutions are impressed with organizations that are serious enough about the issues to find the best possible road to a solution that makes sense. It’s called collaboration – sounds simple but it is a big job.

“May the force be with you” - Obi-Wan Kenobi

I am a baby boomer. I admit it – and I do so with pride. Want to know why?

Let me tell you a little bit about our generation. Baby boomers have great power. Because of our numbers, unprecedented education, access to technology and financial resources, we are blessed with the gift of influence. We are versatile and creative.

We like to move in herds while maintaining our uniqueness. We ask lots and lots of questions in an effort to find the truth. We have pretty much done everything for ourselves that there is to do – and yet we know there is so much more to life.

We believe we are not accidents, and we know we are here for a purpose. We now think we matter to history and wish to be instrumental in creating a great future for our descendants.

I believe we are coming into our own, and aging beautifully. When presented with the facts and greater understanding of the world and its people, we have opted to work hard to make sure we leave this planet in better condition than we found it. As Daniel Kadlec said in USA Today last week – we are the ME generation becoming the WE generation. WE are not sitting down idly accepting a fate we know is unacceptable. We found out there is great enjoyment and satisfaction in helping others.

We want to live successfully, and success is now defined as making the world a better place. We realize that we face so many challenges and puzzles today on our planet.

Some Baby boomers are choosing to retire; only to take on a cause they deem important…one that will give greater meaning and purpose to the lives of others in their community. Whether we choose to retire or not, we are finding ways to have significance of purpose in understanding and addressing human needs and inequities.

What drives us as a group? I think it’s the Force. If you are young, you might ask what exactly is the Force? The Force is described by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars as "an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." Baby boomers, including me, were influenced heavily by Star Wars and the battle between good (healing, generosity, goodwill, and compassion) and evil (hostility, anger, evil, terror, hate).

Yes fellow Baby boomers - we have ideas big enough to change he world, and we realize everyday that we have the power to execute them as well with hard work. We also know that good begets good….and the Force is with us.

How do we unlock our potential? We can start by looking inside to find what each of us has to give. What do you have that you can give? Wealth , a network, intelligence, ideas, etc… if you have great idea – let me know – let someone know – lets not waste precious time. We have a lot to accomplish in a relatively short period of time – so let’s get going now! Let’s go out with as big a celebration as we came in with and leave this world a better place!

Meadows Foundation is a First Responder

There's something truly comforting about knowing that there is someone anticipating and reacting to our needs. The Meadows Foundation in Dallas is constantly staying abreast of critical situations that effect Texans, and then doing something about it.....fast.

As the summer heat soars, it is having an adverse effect on many of the elderly shut-ins, ill, and low-income citizens living without air conditioning. As has been a practice in past years when heat threatens lives in our community, The Meadows Foundation looks for ways to help. Last week, the Foundation contacted county officials and learned that they are receiving up to 300 calls a day from citizens seeking help. Fans are not adequate when temperatures are in the 100’s. The Dallas area has already experienced two heat-related deaths.

Out of the emergency/disaster authority granted to the president by the Foundation’s board, two grants have recently been awarded toward helping the heat relief effort in the Dallas area:
A grant of $48,000 was given the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services to cover the cost and installation of 300 window air-conditioning units. The units were installed in residences of identified individuals immediately.

A grant of $10,000 was given to the Senior Source (formerly Senior Citizens) to provide assistance to low-income seniors who cannot pay their electric bills. This grant should encourage seniors to use their air conditioners, knowing they can afford to pay their higher electrical bills.

"It is important for foundations to respond in times of crisis. Our relationship with service providers helps us identify points of intervention in times of need, and our independence allows us to be of immediate help to those who may suffer," said Linda P. Evans, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation.

And the cherry on top? Meadows Foundation staff will continue to monitor this situation throughout the summer to determine if additional grant assistance is needed.

A new breed of philanthrocapitalists are putting tools in place to get a big bang for their buck

We all know that Bill & Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet have created a very exciting new partnership that has the potential to initiate great change around the world. It is becoming increasingly more evident every day that the world needs more great business minds to solve it’s greatest riddles – those, as Mr. Buffet says, “ have already resisted both intellect and money.”

The Economist just coined a new term to refer to social entrepreneurship or venture philanthropy: and it is called ‘philanthrocapitalism’. This mighty big word describes the idea that our today’s mega-philanthropists are taking a new approach to giving. Instead of writing checks to traditional pet causes that merely feel good, they are using more businesslike methods of measuring cost-benefit evaluations of what potential gifts might achieve. It’s all about applying business applications to social issues, and then measuring their success.

Today donors are concerned with the effectiveness of the programs they support and what difference they make on the people they serve. Measuring outputs and outcomes will be the key to successful funding in the future.

Here’s an example. You contribute $20,000 to an organization to print and distribute a brochure to 5,000 people in your community in an effort to raise awareness for dental hygiene. This is the output. The big test will be the outcome – can the organization show measurable results by those who received the brochures and followed the directions? In the end, did your money make a difference – could you see visible results from the distribution of the brochure?Taking this further, the Economist suggests that both donors and organizations make sure that any failures are documented. Changes could then be implemented to get the projects back on course.

For donors who want to ensure that their money is being used to the greatest use, efficiently and economically making this community a better place, this sounds like the solution. Like any successful investor will tell you, an invested dollar should show a good rate of return.

Did you know that 1 out of 2,167 people have the privilege of being an American? Get ready for the 300 millionth birth this October!

Get ready – the USA is about to hit 300 million people this fall, possibly in October, and most likely the star of the show will be Hispanic.

As of midday a couple of Sundays ago, there were 299,061,199 people in the United States, according to the Census Bureau's population clock. The estimate is based on annual numbers for births, deaths and immigration, averaged throughout the year.

The U.S. is the third largest country in the world, behind China and India.

The U.S. adds a person every 11 seconds, according to the clock. A baby is born every eight seconds, someone dies every 13 seconds, and someone migrates to the U.S. every 30 seconds.

The world, with a population of 6.5 billion, is growing a little faster than 1% a year.

At that rate, the 300 millionth person in the U.S. will be born — or cross the border — in October, though bureau officials are wary of committing to a particular month because of the subjective nature of the clock.

Today, there are 36 million immigrants, about one in eight.

Latinos — immigrants and those born in this country — are driving the population growth. They accounted for almost half the increase last year, more than any other ethnic or racial group. White non-Hispanics, who make up about two-thirds of the population, accounted for less than one-fifth of the increase. The growth of the Latino population promises to have profound cultural, political and economic effects, and today make up more than 14% of the population.

The Census Bureau counted about 9.6 million Latinos, a little less than 5% of the population. The bureau acknowledged that the figure was inflated in the Midwest and South because some people who checked the box saying they were "Central or South American" thought that designation meant they were from the central or southern United States. Most people in the U.S. did not have any neighbors from Central America or South America in the 1960s. The baby boom had just ended in 1964, and the country was growing through birth rates, not immigration, said Howard Hogan, the Census Bureau's associate director for demographic programs.

Many people are embracing the changes, but some are not, as evidenced by the national debate on immigration. The growing number of Hispanics is closely tied to immigration because about 40% are immigrants. "I think there is a little bit of a culture shock effect, especially with the language," said Frey, the demographer. "But as people get to know their new neighbors, they find they are not that different from them."

The U.S. added 2.8 million people last year — a little more than a million from immigration and about 1.7 million because births outnumbered deaths.

By the time the U.S. population hits 400 million, in the 2040s, white non-Hispanics will be but a bare majority. Hispanics are projected to make up close to one-quarter of the population, and blacks more than 14%. Asians will increase their share of the population to more than 7%.
Those percentages, however, are just projections. They are subject to big revisions, depending on immigration policy, cultural changes and natural or manmade disasters.

"In terms of projecting out a year or two, we're not too bad," said Hogan of the Census Bureau. "In 2043, I don't think anybody here would think they are particularly accurate."

One thing is certain: A lot more people who say they are Central American or South American will actually be from those places.

"The over 40 population dominated by the baby boomers, they're the ones in power now," said Frey. "But when we get to 2043, a lot of them will not be with us anymore. Those under 40 will be in power and we will be even more of a global society."

So, with these changing demographics and a greter global society - fellow baby boomers.......don't you think it's time to collaborate, make sure we educate and privide healthcare to every child, care for our land, and make sure we leave things better than when we came?

Independence Day trivia for you and your family...

On July 4th in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, starting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million

In July 1776, the number of people living in the colonies. (1776 population from Historical Statistics of the United States : Colonial Times to 1970.)

300 million

On this July 4th, the population milestone our nation soon will be closing in on.

Fourth of July Cookouts

150 million

Number of hot dogs (all varieties) expected to be consumed by Americans on this holiday. (That’s one frankfurter for every two people.) There’s more than a 1-in-4 chance that the hot dogs made of pork originated in Iowa , as the Hawkeye State had a total inventory of 15.2 million market hogs and pigs on March 1, 2006. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (8.5 million) and Minnesota (5.8 million) were the runners-up. (Data on hot dog consumption courtesy of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.) Data on hogs and pigs at <http://www.nass.usda.gov/>.

7.3 billion pounds

Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2005. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State , which accounted for over one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if they did not come from Texas , they very well may have come from Nebraska (4.5 billion pounds) or Kansas (4 billion pounds). <http://www.nass.usda.gov/>

6

Number of states in which the revenue from broiler chickens was $1 billion or greater between December 2004 and November 2005. There is a good chance that one of these states — Georgia , Arkansas , Alabama , North Carolina , Mississippi or Texas — is the source of your barbecued chicken. <http://www.nass.usda.gov/>

Better than 50-50

The odds that the beans in your side dish of baked beans came from North Dakota, Michigan or Nebraska, which produced 60 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2005. Another popular July 4th side dish is corn on the cob. Florida , California and Georgia together accounted for 51 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2005. <http://www.nass.usda.gov/>

Please Pass the Potato Salad

Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at July 4th barbecues. One-half of the nation’s spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington in 2005. <http://www.nass.usda.gov/>

More than 68 million

Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day. See Table 1230, 2006 edition: <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract.html>

Fireworks

$201.9 million

The value of fireworks imported from China in 2005, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($211 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $14.9 million in 2005, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($4.4 million). <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$17.3 million

The value of U.S. manufacturers’ shipments of fireworks in 2002. <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i325998t.pdf>

Flags

$5.5 million

In 2005, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags; the vast majority of this amount ($5 million) was for U.S. flags made in China . <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$993,000

Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2005. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $529,000 worth. <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$349 million

Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published Economic Census (2002) data. <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i314999t.pdf>

Patriotic-Sounding Names

30

Number of places nationwide with “liberty” in its name. The most populous one is Liberty , Mo. (28,528). Iowa , with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty .

Thirty-two places are named “eagle” — after the majestic bird that serves as our national symbol. (Places include cities, towns, villages and census-designated places.) The most populous such place is Eagle Pass , Texas , with 24,847 residents. There is also Eagle County , Colo. , with a population of 47,530.

Eleven places have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence , Mo. , with 111,023 residents.

Five places adopted the name “freedom.” Freedom, Calif. , with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.

There is one place named “patriot” — Patriot, Ind. , with a population of 195.

And what could be more fitting than spending the Fourth of July in a place called “ America ”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah , population 22,387.

<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/005268.html>

<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/006563.html>

<http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en>

Coming to America

34 million

In 2004, the number of foreign-born residents in the United States ; they accounted for 12 percent of the nation’s total population. Another 30 million Americans were “second-generation,” meaning that at least one of their parents was born abroad.<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/foreignborn_population/003969.html>

53%

As of 2004, the percentage of the nation’s foreign-born population born in Latin America . <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/foreignborn_population/003969.html>

946,000

Number of immigrants granted legal permanent residence in the United States during fiscal year 2004. More than 1-in-4 settled in California . <http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/YrBk04Im.htm>

537,000

Number of people who became naturalized U.S. citizens during fiscal 2004 (Oct. 1, 2003 to Sept. 30, 2004). Mexico contributed the highest number of naturalized citizens in 2004 (63,800), followed by India (38,000), the Philippines (31,400), Vietnam (27,500) and China (27,300). <uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/publications/

NaturalizationFlowReport2004.pdf>

The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone: (301) 763-3030; fax: (301) 457-3670; or e-mail: <pio@census.gov>.

In Memory of Perry Richardson Bass, 91, a true philanthropist

Perry Richardson Bass, who turned a small fortune from his oil wildcatter uncle into a bigger fortune with a series of smart investments and then became a prominent philanthropist, died Thursday at age 91.

The family issued a statement saying Mr. Bass died peacefully at his home after a lifetime of ``remarkable accomplishment and joy." One of his greatest accomplishments was working with the Sid Richardson Foundation in Fort Worth.

Forbes magazine estimated Bass' net worth at $1 billion last year and ranked him No. 746 on its list of wealthiest Americans. With his wife, Nancy Lee Bass, he was one of the state's most generous benefactors.

Like other family members, Mr. Bass did not court publicity. In fact, his public memorial service was over in 20 minutes. Brevity was among Mr. Bass' "suggestions" for the service.
He was one of the last remaining links to a colorful era in Texas history, when wildcatters struck it rich in what were then some of the world's great oil fields.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Mr. Bass worked alongside his uncle, Sid Williams Richardson , who discovered big oil finds. When he died, Richardson, left several million dollars to his nephew.
Mr. Bass and his wife, Nancy Lee Bass , donated millions to local museums and music halls. He also served as chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. His philanthropic dreams transformed Fort Worth.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

But listen, don’t take our word for it….read the beautiful sentiments that have been posted on 16 pages (as of 6/23/2006) in the Fort Worth Star Telegram at http://www.legacy.com/DFW/Guestbook.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonId=17960141.

A mother gulty of child abuse - disquieting and poignant

She sat there, so stiff and yet so frail. Uneasy and on the edge of her seat, she tried to look confident while waiting so long it seemed like an eternity. Dressed in an old baggy day dress, a shabby black purse and worn chipped shoes, the taut look of her jaw shouted anger and pain.

And then she spoke.... tentatively at first... attempting to portray confidence to the person sitting opposite her. This young mother, found guilty of child abuse, was intent on regaining custody of her young son who was taken from her and placed up for adoption in the courts. She tried to explain, to excuse herself and promise it wouldn't happen again while defending herself with a child welfare case worker. She begged and pleaded over and over.

Despite her poverty and ignorance, she was touching and eloquent while pleading her case - she had to get her precious son back....even though she put the little boys hand flat down on a scorching burner....even though she was a victim of abuse herself....even though she had no way out....and it would happen over and over again, time after time. The tension built to a tearful rage, until finally.... she accepted her fate, sadly picked herself up and left quitely.

The audience was still, incredulous, eyes of men and women filled with tears. It was all too sad and unbelievable... and the momentary silence that followed said it all - all of us in the audience were disturbed and uncomfortable with the possibility of this reality.

But it is the ineveitable for these fragile women with no out - it happens every day all across America in every kind of neighborhood. Last Sunday night this fine performance was portrayed beautifully by my young daughter, Alice, who graduated from the Sanford Meisner Center for the Arts in Los Angeles. She played the part of the young mother in Final Placement by Ara Watson.

I will never forget... you should not forget.... we all share a common humanity with this young mother... we are responsible too.

Lets look at Chicago's innovative program that providing opportunities for the homeless

Few people know how the beautiful flowers and plants that adorn downtown Chicago get there or who maintains them. One might never guess this city beautification is provided by Chicago's "homeless."

Now celebrating its thirteenth year, the Chicago Christian Industrial League's (CCIL) Landscape Training Program has blossomed from an innovative pilot program to a multimillion-dollar model of self-help and social entrepreneurship.

CCIL trains more than 100 poor and homeless individuals each year in landscape maintenance as part of a partnership with ARAMARK and the City of Chicago. Each year, participants learn through classroom presentations that lead to planting, watering and maintenance of all downtown Chicago streets surrounding the Daley Center, the medians and planters along Michigan Avenue, LaSalle Street and Congress Parkway -- as well as several other public and private sites throughout the city.

"Everyone talks about hopes of getting the homeless off the streets. We provide housing and literally put people back on the streets, but as productive members of society with work that pays and a renewed sense of purpose. The results speak for themselves," according to CCIL Executive Director Judy McIntyre.

"Our partnerships are extremely valuable. Our first year, we won an award from Harvard University for offering such a unique and successful public private partnership. The City was providing opportunities for work, ARAMARK was providing business acumen and CCIL provided trainees. That's still true today," McIntyre explained.

Founded in 1909, CCIL provides food, clothing, shelter, counseling, training experiences, affordable housing and spiritual assistance for those who seek it. CCIL is one of the largest organizations serving the poor and homeless in Chicago. The organization relies heavily on gifts and services from the people in Chicagoland to continue offering encouragement to the poor by providing a path from alienation to reconciliation and hope, and by demonstrating that determined persons of faith and good will can successfully challenge poverty.

For more information, call CCIL at (312) 491-2275. I think we ought to call and find out how to emulate this program.

Some really great new old thoughts to share...

Have you ever really sat down and thought about what it takes to be a successful human being? Can you actually "see" yourself accomplishing all you would like to? Have you surrounded yourself with can do people who inspire you and encourage you to live your dreams? Are you taking the right steps to get ahead?

Many people have big dreams when they are young - and then because of many reasons, they let go and settle for mediocrity. But why - we all have the ooportunity to take a lemon and squeeze it, add water and a little sugar, and maybe a piece of mint...and have the most delightful drink!

How?

- Take responsibility by making good choices.

- Hold your standards high by doing what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it.

- Look at things with a smile - even the toughest things are greatlessons. Choose to be happy and grateful for each and every experience.

- Persist and take action. If you don't you will miss out on alot of fun!

- Share - if you are successful - SHARE!

Reflections on Mother's Day 2006

This year I woke up very early on Mother's Day - feeling strong emotions of happiness and thinking deeply about what it has meant to be my children's mother over all these years.....a little nostalgic because none of them happened to be home for this special morning this year...all of them far away. No breakfast in bed or snuggles and hugs. But the memories - oh the magnificent and wonderful memories....I have goose bumps all over every time I think of the thrill of my involvement with these precious lives!

I had this urge to write each one of them to tell them how much they meant to me and what an honor it is to be their mother...and I did. Although parenting was not a small or easy task, the years I was gifted with them scampering through my home were so rewarding I can't even explain. But then, I know you all know....

Through thick and thin, good times and bad - we all grew up together. Oh, the miles we have traveled and the ways in which we have evolved have been thrilling to see. Who would have ever dreamed that these beautiful, interesting, talented, and caring people grew up under my roof?

I think about the kind of legacy we as mothers are prepared to leave behind for our children to enjoy. Lifting them up on our shoulders, we work to gift our children a safe and bountiful planet that will enjoy peace and celebrate differences across the lands and oceans we hold so dear. We must take nothing for granted and must stay informed and act wiser to make wise decisions today in order to give them a great tomorrow.

Yes - they may be far away - but we are still "close", I can feel their hugs and the love they send me all day long.... (thank goodness for mobile phones and text messaging) - I am blessed.

My children know I love them and appreciate them and every day they know I am working hard to provide a great future for them.

Strategically approaching our issues - the Sun Tzu way

Sun Tzu (Chinese: 孫子; Pinyin: Sūn Zǐ; ca 6th century BC) was the author of The Art of War - a book written so long ago - and yet just as important today as it was thousands of years ago in just about every aspect of our lives.

Stanley Bing (Wall Street Journal) summarized the book perfectly today - "Ripeness is all. That is, he or she who takes a strategic approach to business life -- who is fit in mind, body and spirit, who is always ready for just about anything -- is the player most likely to win the ongoing war that is life. The true Sun Tzu-nik is so prepared for battle that battle has been rendered unnecessary."

Being a devout Sun Tzu-nik myself, I believe that if we act proactively and swiftly to handle every issue in this state from dropouts to the uninsured - we can get something done. There is no room for procrastination or indolence – good preparation is the key to accomplishment. We need to make our list of priorities and then act on them – one by one.

Education – health – economic development – three important issues that we as a state must address now.

Teddy Bears that Bring Honor and Respect to People in Need

I received the loveliest gift – a precious little pink teddy bear with beautiful little black stitched eyes and a darling pink stitched nose. She had a note attached that said, "I came to hug you and hold you, because I always go where Love takes me...to You!"

And of course, you know the rest, I immediately hugged her tight and felt all the warmth and good fuzzies I remembered when hugging my own little teddy as a little girl.

This darling teddy – that now resides on my desk – was made by Kay Lavonne Crider, the kind and caring Founder/Director of BearHugs Foundation in Huffman, Texas. She says, “After retiring from the medical profession, in which I would give away little bears to our patients, BearHugs Foundation was born. We give away sweet, soft bears to any segment of society where nurturing can uplift and inspire life. As a mother of 4 and grandmother of 9, my life has been varied and speckled with many wonderful experiences, some sad and some exhilarating."

"The duration of BearHugs Foundation is perpetual, and is formed as a multi-dimensional social service, charitable, and educational non-profit organization that provides nurturing comfort to children and adults. Our mission is, "To Nurture and Inspire Life." The Spirit of BearHugs is gifting a small bear to patients in hospitals, assisted-full care facilities, hospices, protection services, families, other like-minded charitable organizations, our Military, and any situation where nurturing can bring comfort through-out our community."

To begin her project, she selected an assisted-full care facility in Kingwood, Texas called, Eden Terrace. “This is an extraordinary place with exceptional caring and helpful staff. Through our discussions we learned the importance of embroidery eyes on our bears, for safety reasons, (so we found a special manufacturer that had sweet little bears with embroidery eyes). Also, we organized a training/orientation program for children-teens, adults and families to learn to give out bears”, Crider said.

We already need more bears as we have grown very rapidly since December!! Everyone need a bear hug, don’t they?

Recipients of our bears who desire to "share their bear story" will have the opportunity to do so in our newsletter, which later will be published in books. Children will have the opportunity to write books for other children. Movies and DVD's will tell "bear stories" of how lives were uplifted. While our bears nurture the Spirit our bodies can use nurturing as well so we plan a store of nurturing products.

Our bears come to bring Honor and Respect to the individual, not because of "need" but more because the heart deserves. BearHugs hopes to build a volunteer staff that has the same loving and nurturing personality that Crider does.

To contact her, call Kay Lavonne Crider at 281-360-5860

How cool is this? MTV Launches Break Addiction - and sets a goal to educate and empower our youth to take a stand on their future

Everyone knows that MTV is the globally popular ultimate destination for music and pop culture. Our youth lives for MTV. Music rules...and now the premier entertainment site is getting involved with their new project THINK...Break the Addiction: Take the first step.

And what does the PSA start with? A kid eating a cake iced in the shape of the earth until he has eaten all of it.....if we dont stop now...there'll be nothing left.

"Throughout history young people have always rallied around issues and generated change, and we know from our constant dialogue with young people that they are concerned about the environment but don't know how to make a difference," said Christina Norman, President, MTV. "BREAK THE ADDICTION will educate and empower young people with tangible, simple actions and measurable ways to see how their small efforts have big effects."

President Bush's State of the Union declared that "America is addicted to oil," so MTV announced the network's latest pro-social initiative, BREAK THE ADDICTION, a year-long campaign to engage, educate and empower young people to take simple, daily actions that can have a measurable impact in the fight against global warming. The campaign will launch with a channel takeover on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, including an on-air, online and wireless messaging campaign about how to help stop global warming, break-ins to regularly scheduled programming that offer environmental lessons, multiple public service announcements (PSAs), and an MTV News package introducing BREAK THE ADDICTION, featuring a leading young environmental activist.

BREAK THE ADDICTION is MTV's year-long recovery program aimed at mobilizing a new generation of environmental activists. On-air, online and on wireless, the initiative will connect the audience to simple, daily tips, as well as in-depth resources, to help them recognize and change habits that harm the environment. Viewers will be directed online to think.mtv.com to quantify and track their efforts by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and dollars saved due to changes they commit to making throughout the year. Supplemental MTV programming -- both long-form and news packages -- will air throughout the year and the tips will be revealed in daily PSAs on air on MTV, MTV2, and mtvU as well as online and delivered to cell phones. Additional PSAs will appear on mtv.com, mtv2.com, mtvU.com, MTV Overdrive and mtvU Uber. Through partnerships with StopGlobalWarming.org, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Grist.org, Student PIRGs, Campus Climate Challenge, and Clean Air-Cool Planet, MTV will go beyond the broadcasts to create online and wireless resources, as well as opportunities for grassroots organizing and outreach.

MTV will theme each month with a concrete message -- from Examine Yourself to Go Paperless to Get Political -- and create corresponding programming and resources on air, online, on wireless phones and on the ground. Throughout the campaign, young people will be able to access a number of resources on these platforms, including:

* The BREAK THE ADDICTION recycle bin on TRL -- MTV's flagship TRL program
will host the BREAK THE ADDICTION recycle bin for audience members who
literally must recycle to gain entrance to the studio. Throughout the
year, MTV will point to the container as a reminder of simple acts that
can make big impacts on the planet.

* think MTV's Carbon Calculator -- An online calculator, built in
partnership with StopGlobalWarming.org will launch around Earth Day to
enable young people to calculate their carbon and financial savings as
they commit to making changes in their lives.

* Long-form programming and MTV News packages -- MTV programming will
explore the issues of global warming, as well as showcase the innovative
ways that young people are fighting to preserve the environment.

* User-generated Content -- MTV viewer ideas will be solicited and
showcased through their submission of pictures about how they're
stopping global warming.

* Action Center -- Break the Addiction will provide opportunities for
young people to take personal, social, and political action to help stop
global warming.

* Comprehensive Online Resources -- think MTV will launch a Break the
Addiction website on think.mtv.com to serve as a comprehensive portal
for information about global warming and ways to take action to reduce
one's environmental impact.

How cool is this? Take a look at MTV THINK

A New Book By Mal Warwick & Ben Cohen - "Values-Driven Business: How to Change the World, Make Money, and Have Fun."

I received a note today from Mal Warwick about the new book he has authored with Ben Cohen (of Ben and Jerry fame). The description sounds oh so great!

Mal explains, "The book is entitled "Values-Driven Business: How to Change the World, Make Money, and Have Fun." Ben Cohen and I wrote it as a practical, down-to-earth guidebook for people who own, manage, or want to start small businesses. (Just in case you don't recognize the name, Ben's the guy who added many inches to my waist with such timeless creations as Cherry Garcia and New York Superfudge Chunk.)

The book is an effort to help change the way the world does business - and almost all the royalties go to a great cause (Social Venture Network). I'm hoping this book will help tens of thousands of businesspeople to adopt socially responsible policies and practices.

There are shelves-full of books about "Corporate Social Responsibility," but they're all written for billion-dollar businesses - and there just aren't that many of those companies. Ben and I write about socially and environmentally responsible business for those of us whose businesses aren't in the Fortune 500 - about 25,000,000 companies, in fact!

"Values-Driven Business" is short, easy to read - and cheap. It's only $9.24 on Amazon. And it's a really good book, if I do say so myself! You can help put "Values-Driven Business" on the bestseller lists if you order a copy today at:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576753581/sr=8-7/qid=1145242371/ref=sr_1_7/103-6694934-5937448?%5Fencoding=UTF8.

I don't know about you - but the more we have people like Mal writing books that are proactivly teaching how to do thing right the first time - the better we will all feel when we don;t have to fix everythihng after we've flubbed it up. I am ordering it today!

Life is 10% about what happens to you - and 90% about what you do with it.

Oh the power of the imagination - possibly the most powerful asset we have in our life because it can create such a beautiful reality when you use it right....or it can create devastation.

And then there's the story/narrative you’re telling/writing the world about yourself every day. Every thought and word you say or think is a magnet for that action, says Betty Sue Flowers of Austin. Profound isn't it? But true.

You know the future is all about your imagination. It’s unknowable and yet made up of the sum of all parts that come together to create the intersection of the moment that is now - and sincerely, it's made up of exactly what you decide to "write".

More and more every day I realize that my words are strong....so strong that I am creating the reality of my existence with each and every word and thought I say and think. In this regard, it is imperative to stay focused and positive and in the present moment in order to accomplish all the things I wish to do each and every day.

What kind of narrative is your imagination creating? What can your narrative do to change the world around you?

Show me Successful Children and I Will Show You Loving and Involved Parents

Did you know?
- School age children spend 70% of their waking hours (including weekends and holidays) outside of school.
- The most effective forms of parent involvement are those, which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.
- 86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve the schools.
- Lack of parental involvement is the biggest problem facing public schools.
- Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates; better school attendance; increased motivation, better self-esteem; lower rates of suspension; decreased use of drugs and alcohol; fewer instances of violent behavior.
- The more intensely parents are involved, the more beneficial the achievement effects.
- The more parents participate in schooling, in a sustained way, at every level -- in advocacy, decision-making and oversight roles, as fund-raisers and boosters, as volunteers and para-professionals, and as home teachers - the better for student achievement.
- The most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parent expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school.
- Parents of high-achieving students set higher standards for their children’s educational activities than parents of low-achieving students.

Disadvantaged kids can succeed. Wealthy kids can succeed. They can both fail as well. As role models - we opted to be parents - now - what will we do with that privilege?

TexasNonprofits is making a difference in Texas...

TexasNonprofits is making a difference in Texas. For five years TexasNonprofits (TXNP) has been turning ideas into action, growing a large community of visitors that love what Texas stands for and the future that is possible for us to achieve.

Through the power of technology we provide assistance to nonprofits and foundations throughout the state, in urban and rural communities, from human service providers to animal welfare organizations. We are readily available to all Texans via the Internet.

Through intelligent buzz marketing and focused editorial, we've achieved a reputation for providing reliable data on funders as well as presenting positive success stories about philanthropy across Texas. We also publish job opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and a state wide wish list.

Foundations and nonprofits have embraced our goal of connecting donors with good charitable causes. We encourage and promote the good works that nonprofits provide our community and help nonprofits improve their ability to raise funds for their worthy causes.

We want to share with you some of our nice notes we have received....

"This site is fabulous, fabulous -- the hub of the nonprofit world in Texas! Check it early and often!” – Elaine Gantz Wright, Skystone Ryan Inc., Dallas

• “In the area of technology, Jackie has single-handedly built quite possibly the most important web portal for nonprofit groups in the State of Texas. In the last 2 years, she has attracted over 100,000 unique visitors from across the country to this new “watering hole” for the field. TXNP has articles, a current job and volunteer bank as well as a resource center for nonprofit staffers and board members hungry for help. Jackie even personally answers thousands of emails. With self-effacing humor and quiet Southern charm, Jackie has built a constellation of advisors, mentors and advocates. Her contacts range from Harvard to Beijing, and she seems to have an instinct for the innovative. Her brainchild of marrying technology with a charitable impulse has proven prophetic. She has eclipsed others who have sought to market charity connection sites in large part because of her devotion to social responsibility that triumphs over a desire to make money. Visitors are likely to be startled at the refreshing level of customer service and depth of knowledge Jackie offers to all of us in the trenches of nonprofit field work.” - Maggie McCarthy, The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation, Waco

• “Texasnonprofits.org is about resources, communication and sharing. The website brings together in one place a wealth of information benefiting nonprofit organizations, foundations, and people who are interested in volunteerism and philanthropy. Jackie Beretta and her staff are using the power of technology to provide comprehensive and up to date information in an efficient and cost effective format. The search function available to members helps me quickly identify foundations in Texas that have an expressed interest in our mission. The availability of current research data online saves time and provides valuable information about potential donors. As the only development person in a small organization, texasnonprofits.org is my new best friend!” - Richard L. Gruen, Boys and Girls Harbor, Houston

• “The TexasNonprofits website has been an invaluable tool to me as Executive Director of the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas. With only two people in our choir office, it is tough to take the time to travel to the Houston library for grant research purposes. I have found that the TXNP provides even more information than I could garner with a trip to the library and I can conduct my grant research any time – day or night. I have also discovered quite a few family and community foundations through TXNP that I have never found through library research. Because of this, I have been able to capture the interest of several of them and have even had grants funded! While our written proposals might have gotten the grants, I credit the TexasNonprofits website for making this possible. Thank you for renewing my membership and look forward to another great year!” - Tiana Mortimer, Executive Director of the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, Inc., Stafford

• “I have worked closely with Jackie on TexasNonprofits as a member of her Advisory Board for several years. During that time I have spent many hours with Jackie as she has worked to offer the nonprofit organizations of Texas important information about fund raising, community service and management assistance. I have been very impressed with her dedication to the work of nonprofit organizations and her respect for all that they do for the citizens of Texas. As former President of the Meadows Foundation and the founding Director of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the University of Texas in Austin, I have a personal passion for the men and women who dedicate themselves to service for others and therefore Jackie's program of assistance has been of much interest to me. Jackie is constantly seeking knowledge about how people are striving to make life in Texas better for others. As the possessor of a very creative mind, Jackie doesn't just absorb such information; she tries to find ways to use the learning she has acquired. Often she is able to broker connections between organizations and people because of her accumulated knowledge.” - Curtis Meadows, Of Counsel -Thompson & Knight, LLP – Dallas

• “Just a short note to say "Thank You" as I renew my membership with TXNP. I work for the Amarillo Tri-state Exposition on their Development Team. I spend a lot of my time on the computer doing research. I have found TexasNonprofits to be one of the best resources for keeping up with what is happening in Texas. Since I am relatively new to this type of work, the articles and references in your Newsletter have been a great help. Thank you so much for that help.” - Maryann Hueston, Amarillo Tri-State Exposition, Amarillo

• “TXNP is facilitating communications between nonprofits, corporations, foundations, and individuals to encourage efficient social responsibility in Texas - in fact, they are acting as sector connectors.” - Greg Flores, VP Communications, San Antonio Water System, San Antonio

• “The Sid Richardson Foundation is supportive of TexasNonprofits in carrying out their important work in the nonprofit world. We think that programs such as yours (TXNP) are helpful to us all in making nonprofits more efficient and effective at a time when their services are so important.” - Valleau Wilkie, Jr., Executive Director Sid Richardson Foundation, Fort Worth

• “I love reading the newsletter and have found that many articles seem to mirror exactly what I am dealing with daily. Keep up the good work.” - Barbara Andrews, CEO VNA and Hospice of South Texas, San Antonio

• “TexasNonprofits is a valuable resource for those looking to become further engaged in important societal issues, and we congratulate them for their fine work in this field.” - Tobias Webb, Ethical Corporation Magazine, London, England

Upcoming Broadcast of The Brutal Truth: Protecting the Family from Violence

Attention Parents, To-Be Parents and Other Care-Providers:

An important documentary on child abuse prevention will be broadcast on Channel 8, Houston PBS, Thursday, April 13, 7:00 PM, The Brutal Truth: Protecting the Family from Violence. National and local experts filmed in the documentary will bring new insights on how parents can better handle the stressful times.

Topics such as temper tantrums, discipline versus punishment, bullying, inappropriate touching, neglect, and self-esteem will be covered. Raising children can be a challenge, but it is the most important job we undertake. Mark your calendar and invite your family to view this program, produced by an Emmy Award-winning team and underwritten by foundations, corporations and philanthropic individuals who are aware of the problems of child abuse and neglect in our communities. Other information: www.brutaltruthproject.org.

Gentle Men and Women - I emplore you to think about the art of communication

Gentle men and women - I had lunch today with a very respected man. A gentleman I deeply admire and respect. Our conversation flowed from one interesting subject to another. I took away alot of wise thoughts and ideas...but one thing he said has stuck with me all day.

He spoke of a time, not too long ago when he saw two major politicians walking together, laughing and chatting at an event in Washington. He told me of their party differences, their political battles....after all, they were running against each other in a national election. But he said as he watched, what hit home was that at the end of the day, they were friends and held great respect for each other.

These men were rivals, but friends - never to throw mud, never to be party to insulting and ugly rhetoric, never to be disrespectful towards each other. Maybe you could use the word statesman to describe them.

Good role models for us today? You bet! They knew the art of how to politely and intelligently disagree. It does seem to get so much more accomplished.

Benjamin Franklin had it right all along

I am moved by the reflections of Rebecca Rimel, President & CEO of the Pew Trusts. She echoes Ben Franklin’s words that “an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. We are unequivocally committed to investments in “useful knowledge,” as Franklin advocated: information, facts, research and analysis. The tenet of our work is the power of knowledge to improve American society, and our standards include strict accountability, transparency in the conduct of our business and wise stewardship of our resources.”

I read that Franklin believed that our only problems are those that we decide not to examine. When you work hard to learn about an issue, examine it carefully, and address it with knowledge and the resources at hand - you can rise above just about anything...and do it with grace.

Cool new website for grants in education

You have got to go visit www.grantsalert.com. It is fabulous and full of info for busy educators. Teachers needs funds for everything from paper to chalk. Money is tight - and many teachers uyse their own dollars for supplies. So, this site is terrific becuase it not only alerts you to funding opps, it also provides alist of grant writiers you can call to help speed up the process!

Donors are focusing on results more and more today

I'm thinking about an interview by Les Silverman at McKinsey with Ralph Smith of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2004. One of the subjects they touched on was what kind of organizations will have their grants renewed and why?

Dollars are in demand for many worthy projects across the world...mind you globally. While many foundations look for the fiscal ramifications of their gifts, ones like the Casey are looking for positive change which is ometimes difficult to measure. But across the board, more and more funders are looking for programs that initiate serious demonstrable change. No matter what the time frame, or what dollars are involved. And, if change is not realized, then the hope is that interesting interpretations as to why are anticipated. Lessons learned.......

Smith said that "Casey's investments produce a social return that is difficult to measure, complicating its work". Casey feels accountable for their contributions in three ways:

impact - did the investment make something better for someone?
influence - did the investment help someone look at something differently, act in a different way?
leverage - did the investment help stimulate other investments in the nonprofit sector?

So, as a nonprofit organization - are you contributing to good change? Are you accomplishing your mission? Are you wasting precious dollars on unimportant extravagant expenditures? Are you fiscally responsible - lean and mean and a do good machine?

Thoughts on leadership

My lovely new friend Professor Betty Sue Flowers of the University of Texas LBJ Library in Austin, shared these great quotes with those of us who attended our first Leadership Texas event in Austin last week.

"....(there is) a demonic character of all institutions built on competition. They intimidate and devalue persons. They even devalue the winners by insinuating that an individual must be better than others in order to have any value..."

"Collaborative systems are designed around such factors as shared vision, a keen sense of belonging, and the courage to tell the truth in all relationships. The reason that such collaboration lifts the spirit of human work is that it appeals to the best of who we are rather than the basest of our motives, encouraging the offerings of everyone's personal gifts for doing and improving the work. Sush systems enlarge and enhance the life of their members."

"All of us are on the same great journey. A journey down the river we call life. And on this journey we are each our own boatman. Find a vision of who we are, what we stand for and where we are going....then we can make these visions a reality and live into our dreams. It's your boat, it's your river and you're on it every day."

Dewitt Jones, "Focus Your Vision"

$248.52B Contributed in 2004....where did it come from?

Of the $248.52 Billion that was given in 2004 - here are the stats:

76% came from living individuals - the majority of that money (60%) went toward religion (nothing new). But I think it is interesting to note that msot of that goes to upkeeping religious facilities, supporting their operating costs, and clergy salaries. Education, health and science received the next chunk of that (13%), Human Services came in third (9%), Arts and culture received 3%, and Social Welfare received the least at 2%. The remaining 13% is classified as other.

11.6% of contributions came from foundations - of that almost half goes to education (25%). Health receives about 20%, Human services (16%), Public Affairs/Society Benefit (13%), Arts and culture (13%), and International Affairs gets 3%. The remaining again is classified at 12%.

Foundations that gave over 40% to support this portion of our society that is falling through the cracks are - Verizon Foundation (40%), Wells Fargo Foundation (40%), and Washington Mutual (a whopping 75%!)

A really cool Super Bowl spot launches effort to give girls self esteem

You know, my favorite ads of the year are those that pop up during the Super Bowl! This year is no different....

Dove, yes, Dove...the beauty products company out of Greenwich, Connecticut...has developed a campaign to raise self esteem in girls. The program consists of outreach programs, and pr efforts including a spot during the Super Bowl on Sunday Feb, 5th. "The heart-tugging 45-second spot, created by Ogilvy & Mather and airing during Super Bowl XL, draws attention to the issue of self-esteem. It suggests ways adults can make a difference in how girls feel about themselves. Self-esteem issues will be brought to the forefront as the public will hear little girls speak big truths about their feelings. All throughout the spot, the voices of the members of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus from Long Island, New York can be heard singing a version of "True Colors."

And, by ther way, did you know that Dove has a Dove Self-Esteem Fund, which was developed to help raise self-esteem in girls and young women. In the United States, the Fund supports uniquely ME!, a partnership program with Girl Scouts of the USA that fosters self-esteem among girls ages 8 to 17 through educational resources and hands-on activities.

Check out their website at http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

Localization is trendy too

Let's talk about globilization first - it's huge right now. Globilization has connected all of us more than ever before. Today humans, money and information move faster all over the world, all of us have access to things we only dreamed of having before, and charitable dollars are sent round the world to help those less fortunate than us. Theoretically, this phenomina will go on for many years to come.

And while I love the idea of everyone connecting and solving the world's problems together....I honestly think the world is spreading out a little too far - and it is hurting local communities. Every time that something happens in another area of the world, and people generously send dollars and time to support that area, somehow the local relationships start to weaken. Why? Because people send dollars randomly to huge organizations without realizing that similar problems exist right around the corner. Hunger, poverty, abuse...it's all right here - next to me.

So I say if you decide to send money outside your sphere to support an important cause, try balancing that opportunity by supporting something close to home. Stop fragmenting our local communities. Localize, localize, localize.

Economic lessons with a deeper twist

I think we all need to look at the world with different eyes. Most people try to measure success or failure by looking at the economics of a situation - trying to find answers by studying numbers - even though numbers can tell half the story. Many times we need to look beneath the surface for the real reasons why things are happening in society today.

Clever young social economists Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the authors of Freakonomics, observe things in a different way....looking for spicy motivation behind all sorts of behavior. They think about and observe circumstances in order to look at them in a very thoughtful way.

For example, we talk about good parenting every day - but Levitt tells us that a day-care center fined parents $3 per child when they showed up late to pick up their children. Of course, they hoped this would encourage parents to come on time....while in fact, the number of parents showing up late doubled when parents legitimized the cost as "parents could buy off their guilt."

And Levitt hands Jane Roe (of Roe vs. Wade) credit for reducing the number of millions of potential criminals born into America today. His research showed that legalized abortion led to less unwanted children that would be born into poverty and destitution - which ultimately (2 decades later) led to less crime. In fact, he says it had far greater impact than even gun control or the improved economy. Although this is shocking - it seems to be valid.

So remember, it’s not always wise to jump too fast – wait, watch and think. Don't look for quick answers...or make snap decisions - sometimes it is good to look deeper.

"The Science of Aging Gracefully"

"The Science of Aging Gracefully" was a conversation between gerontology scientists by phone and survey aimed at assessing their ideas on aging, according to the Public Agenda. It is interesting to note that most opinions formed by the public are effected by the media or politics....read on.

"Scientists say the field is on the threshold of a new way of thinking, shifting focus from specific illnesses to searching to understand aging itself as a biological process. The report suggests that many of the scientists' concerns about the public's understanding of these issues emanate from political arguments or media coverage rather than actual public opinion at large. For example, researchers are generally pessimistic about public support for funding, but the research suggests the public seems to be far more supportive of basic aging research than the official political voices might lead scientists to believe. Prepared for the Alliance for Aging Research and the American Federation for Aging Research. Funded by MetLife Foundation with additional support from Atlantic Philanthropies, Ellison Medical Foundation, John A. Hartford Foundation, Pfizer Inc and Retirement Research Foundation. The report is being presented at the White House Conference on Aging. " - Alison Kadlic and Ana Maria Arumi, with John Immerwahr and Lucyann Barry

Doable Goals for the New Year

Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” Why do you expect changes if you keep setting goals the same way? It's time to take a different tactic.

Start small - pick a small goal you can achieve in 30 days.
Make a contract with yourself - then sign it.
Review your goals every day and affirm them.
Keep a diary of your actions every day - record your actions.
Achieve your goals, and then create more goals.
Keep going - you can create magic every 30 days.

A little bad luck? Don't get down - just get back to work

I got an email from a nonprofit today telling me that they were having so much trouble staying afloat. Bad timing, lack of response, just plain old bad luck she said. I knew of her organization and also knew how important her work was. I wondered, was she doing all she could to do the job? Did she have powerful good expectations? Did she expect others to support her when she didn't really walk the talk herself? Was she allowing her organization and herself to be a victim?

A little bad luck - British psychologist Richard Wiseman, author of The Luck Factor, believes that we should be grateful for our bad luck -- at least some of it, anyway. He says bad luck can motivate or even force us to make positive changes in our lives. It may just be the fact that consistent hard work can enable you to outlast the bad fortune around you. So....here's to the nonprofits that are having a tough time - stay positive, listen to your instincts, look for signs & coincidences...and work hard. You can make it!

A new website offers us a mercury calculator - and blasts the fear of eating fish!

From pr newswire - a story about a new website from the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom tackles the politics of fish fears, explaining that the health benefits of eating fish far outweigh the publicly exaggerated risks. www.fishscam.com puts these risks in their proper perspective and blows the whistle on environmental and animal-rights campaigns that irresponsibly hype fish fallacies. What a relief this is - Sushi Zushi - here I come!!

www.fishScam.com features a mercury-in-fish calculator based on the federal government's "Benchmark Dose Lower Limit" -- a measure of the lowest dose of mercury (in tuna and other fish) that government scientists believe might put the public's health at risk. Similar calculators run by the Environmental Working Group and other activist organizations instead use the Environmental Protection Agency's mercury "Reference Dose" -- which is 1,000 percent lower than this "Benchmark" level.

By focusing the public's attention on the wrong number, green groups are using tiny amounts of mercury in fish to generate a needless public outcry -- and to raise money.

"The amount of mercury that might actually be harmful is many times greater than what Americans get from the fish on their plates," said Center for Consumer Freedom Director of Research David Martosko. "The real harm threshold is ten times greater than what some activist groups want us to consider 'unsafe.' The best science indicates that you shouldn't worry about mercury in your diet unless you eat a massive amount of fish. We're showing the public what the fearmongers won't."

In addition to the Internet's first realistic mercury-in-fish calculator, FishScam.com provides point-by-point rebuttals to the fish scares promoted by over a dozen activist groups, and sets the record straight on often-repeated mercury myths. It also offers science-based information about mercury, activist boycotts of Atlantic swordfish and Chilean sea bass, and flawed animal-rights arguments about whether or not fish feel pain.

"Fish is good for you," added Martosko. "Baseless anxiety isn't. Fish have been an integral part of the human diet since the first caveman learned to sharpen a stick. But today's green groups increasingly see seafood as an ideal platform for fighting eco-battles and raising money.

Americans need to be reminded that the health benefits of eating fish are very real, while the risks are largely imaginary."

The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.

Collin County Ranks in Top 20 re: Income Level

Bravo Collin County - a most spectacular Texas county. According to the Associated Press, the US census Bureau, Collin County is among the highest 20 counties in respect to median income ($74,136). In contrast, Starr ($19,127) and Zavalla ($18,553) counties were counted among the lowest 20 counties.

A year of extremes......

Buisness Week published and article yesterday speculating on whether end of the year charitable giving will go up or down? With all the disasters beginning in December of 2005 and continuing into the fall of 2005 - what will happen? Will charities be able to balance their budget?

Americans give nearly $250B a year to charitable causes to anything from Girl Scouts selling cookies to endowments for cultural arts centers. And 76% of this comes from individuals. Could these individuals be tapped out after stepping up to the plate time after time in the last year?

Are many contributions lost to good intentions? Are donations put off becuase of the sense of urgency broadcasted by another disaster in another place? Interesting to note that as a crisis get more publicity and images transmitted to the world - so the dollars flow in that direction.

We reported that donations to the largest charities grew by 11.6% in 2004. They look like they will survive. But what about the million or so that support our local communities? The ones that provide for our underserved?

If indeed it is a fact that we could give more, that we should give more....why am I hearing about donors....both corporations and foundations that are capping off at their 5% level? Why are we not preparing to give above and beyond when certain circumstances occur?

Some annual statistics of note from Business Week...
Fitness magazine reports that $40M is spent on weight loss!
PDF Magazine reports that $23.5B is spent on candy and gum!
The American Society of Aesthetic Surgery reports that $8B is spent on plastic surgery!

Come on now - lets dig a little deeper!

Senate Finance Committee Addresses Charitable Giving

Some new incentives passed in the SFC this last week -

1. A deduction for a portion of charitable contributions made by individuals who do not itemize their tax returns (with a floor of $250 or $500 for joint filers) and no cap.
2. Tax free distributions from IRA's for charitable contributions, allowing individuals to exclude contributions from their gross income taxabel IRA distributions for traditional and Roth IRA distributions made to a charity during the period form December 2005 - December 2007.
3. Modification of charitable distribution of food inventories from the present law.
4. Modifications to encourage contributions of capital gains real property made for conservation purposes.
5. And increased incentive for S corporations to make charitable contributions.

Look for more http://www.house.gov/jct/x-77-05.pdf

Child Porn Among Fastest Growing Internet Businesses

This makes me sick at my stomach - but we need to be aware that a sick industry is growing in this country and we all must take steps to stop it.

In just a few years, child pronography has become a huge multi-million dollar industry online. With digital technology and web cameras, it is inexpensive and easy. Buyers can get the pornography for free, or they can use credit cards to purchase instant access to the photos/videos.

Child pornography is defined as the visual image of infants, toddlers, and children under age 18, in sexual poses or in explicit sexual activity. These are not adults dressed up as children. Many images depict violence such as bondage, rape, or torture. Although most pornographic images are of girls, the number of boys is increasing.

Of those in possession, 83% had pornographic material that involved children between ages of 6 and 12; 39% had material involving children between ages 3 and 5; and 19% had images of infants or toddlers under age 3.

It is estimated that there are 100,000 sites on the web, and more are forthcoming. Help us stop this disgusting commercial enterprise.

Check out CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com - you can join those reporting the almost 106,176 incidences online.

Also visit The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Established in 1984, NCMEC works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide services for families and law enforcement. visit them at http://www.missingkids.com.

New Website for Tracking Charitable Contributions

In the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Americans contributed millions of dollars and tons of goods to help victims of those natural disasters. What if there was a way to account for the usage of every donated product and service?

Richard A. McDonough, president and CEO of America Responds With Love Inc., designed a new website -- http://www.respondwithlove.org -- to help donors determine how and where their contributions will be used. He will discuss how this website can be used to help disaster victims generally, with a specific focus on victims of the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes.

Hot off the press! It’s a strong name and it’s a strong brand - AT&T it is!

SBC Communications Inc. announced plans to adopt the AT&T name following approval and close of its historic merger with AT&T, which is expected late this year. San Antonio and all of Texas is smiling a broad smile this morning at the news!

With the merger, SBC/AT&T - or AT&T now will grow into an internationally known and respected company of over 200,000 employees - and they will be headquartered in Texas! San Antonio to be exact - and that is why I am smiling today!

The new company, AT&T, will be ever more strengthened to convey "the new company's diverse capabilities, commitment to reliability, quality and integrity, and its passion to deliver meaningful innovation and unsurpassed customer care." Everything that SBC already stands for in thier current markets will be projected and amplified throughout the world.

SBC has proven that their proactive and exciting methods of philanthropy can and will help integrate technology into the nonprofit community across the country by simplifying and streamlining methods of doing business.

The mission of the SBC Foundation, presided over by President Laura Sanford in San Antonio, clearly states, "The SBC Foundation's mission is technology driven and is focused on enhancing lives through improved education and economic growth."

The AT&T Foundation will merge nicely - their mission is to:”
Educate - We believe technology is a powerful tool to engage lifelong learning.
Enrich - We support the arts and culture to enrich lives and foster creativity and diversity.
Empower - We give communities the resources they need to help them accomplish great things.
Engage - Our employees are engaged in every facet of volunteerism.”

SBC has a powerful Pioneers Group headed by Gloria Delgado. AT&T has a Pioneer Program as well. The two volunteer based efforts will have the ability to make huge differences for nonprofits across the world.

The AT&T brand is an American business icon and far and away the most recognized communications brand in the United States, as well as around the globe.

This decision is a milestone in the communications industry, enabling the brand that is inextricably linked to the birth and growth of the telecommunications industry to remain at the forefront of a new era of integrated communications and entertainment services.

The AT&T brand has a proud, 120-year heritage, making it ideal to represent the new company’s passion to deliver meaningful innovation and unsurpassed customer care, diverse capabilities, and commitment to reliability, quality and integrity.

Moving forward, the combined company will continue to strengthen the AT&T brand as it sets the standard for a new generation of IP-based services, giving consumers and businesses anytime, anywhere access to communications and entertainment over virtually any device. The objective is to make the new AT&T synonymous with innovative, high-quality, integrated voice, data and videoservices.

The merger will bring together a range of complementary capabilities and strengths to position the new AT&T for the 21st century:

SBC

- Broadband capabilities, local service with more than 50 million access lines and dense local access network capabilities to deliver voice and data services to consumers and businesses of all sizes.
- Nationwide wireless coverage through Cingular Wireless, which has more than 52 million subscribers across the country. SBC owns 60 percent of Cingular.

AT&T

- The world’s most advanced and powerful communications backbone network and software infrastructure to meet the sophisticated data communication needs of large businesses with multiple locations.
- A global reach that spans more than 60 countries around the world.

In the weeks and months following completion of the merger, customers will see the new AT&T brand and logo on bills and correspondence, products and services, as well as on buildings housing the combined company’s facilities. The transition to the new brand will be strongly promoted in the weeks after the merger’s completion with the largest multimedia advertising and marketing campaign in either company’s history. The SBC brand will play an important role in this transitional process.

There is unprecedented opportunity to continue and expand the storied heritage of the AT&T brand. Most importantly, consumers and businesses will benefit from the new era of communications and entertainment that the combination of SBC and AT&T companies will enable.

-Much of this information came from the SBC website at www.sbc.com - you might wish to explore www.att.com as well. Visit our TexasNonprofits Blog too - it's called the Socially Responsible Salon and may be found at http://www.txnp.org/Salon.html.

Can the Texas Economy fight Mother Nature?

Katrina was the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history - not only for the southern gulf coast area, but for Texas as well.

I called Steve Murdock, our Texas State Demographer to ask what he believes will happen in Texas demographically as a result of Katrina.

He made it perfectly clear that the biggest problem is that we still don't know how many of the approximately 250,000 +/- people who came to Texas after hurricane Katrina will remain in Texas. We just don't know....we will have to wait and see.

Murdock said, "There is so much uncertainty. We really have no idea how many are here, we don't know their characteristics, and we don't know what they have in mind. We do not have sufficient data to see the full dimension of effect."

What do we know? People tried to get help from FEMA in centers across the state....they went to register and were told that someone would get back to them by mail or phone, or asked that they come back the next day - and of course they didn't. How could you expect traumatized evacuees to respond to a request of "We are so busy - come back tomorrow?" The system failed.

In the grand scope of the world, Mother Nature spares no one. We have the hurricanes in the Atlantic and Pacific. And, there are the forest fires and mudslides in and around LA, the earthquakes like the one we just saw in Asia that have a casualty rate of 2k this morning, and the devastating tsunami in the pacific. Take a look at Tiki Island - 105 years ago last month a huge storm killed 5k people there - and it was rebuilt but remains as vulnerable today as it was then. But the point is that people did return, and people do rebuild… because it is our nature to be hopeful and to migrate back to our roots.

We can look at the devastation of Galveston early in the 20th century. The city was rebuilt, but was never the same again.

Let’s look at some suppositions:

1) Louisiana homeowners/landowners will go back - the feds will offer low cost loans/grants to rebuild in that location. People might be able to secure loans as low as 2%, so they won't have to start off from scratch.
2) There will be a lot of jobs in Louisiana to keep construction crews busy for some time - the levies alone will need a lot of work. Of course – last week you had the news release that the City of New Orleans cut workers this month because of loss of revenue. But when things clam down – N.O. will most likely spiral above average in job gains. And nationally? It seems that Fed is more concerned about rising inflation than weakening growth.
3) Customs and heritage - there is no place like New Orleans - and people will return to their roots.
4) The poorest of the poor - their situation is different. There are better temporary public assistance (Medicaid, TANF) programs in Louisiana that in Texas - we are stricter with what we offer.

And now, lets look at the facts of the Hurricanes long term/short term effects according to Diane Swonk, chief economist of Mesirow Financial:

- Disruptions to employment, incomes, business, and higher energy prices are expected to shave at least 0.5% off second half of the year growth. The persistence of high natural gas prices is worrisome. "Heating bills could surge as much as 70% in the Midwest, which will put a damper on holiday spending in December," said Swonk.
- Growth will reaccelerate as rebuilding gets underway in 2006. "On net growth is expected to move back into the 4% range ... those gains, however, are expected to mask the squeeze on spending caused by persistently high energy prices," added Swonk.
- Greenspan may want to pause in September, however, his pending retirement and waning influence with other members of the FOMC suggests that he may not get his wishes this time around. Look for the Fed to raise rates at their September and November meetings. Hurricane-related losses should allow the Fed to hold the fed funds rate at 4% at its December meeting. Moves, thereafter, will be contingent on who replaces Greenspan.
- Costs associated with the storm are expected to force the BushAdministration to scrap its agenda for the fall session of Congress. "Proposed cuts in Medicaid and income support programs look particularly ill-timed given those worst affected by the crisis," commented Swonk.

"There will obviously be many winners and losers, however, the real challenge is trying to stop unscrupulous individuals and businesses who try to game the system for their own gains. And, the U.S. economy may not be able to fight Mother Nature, but it can make surviving her wrath a lot easier than anywhere else," said Swonk.

One thing for sure - Murdock told me that Texas grows at a rate of about 385,000 per year....another 250,000 could accentuate the issues we already face.

The US Ranks #3 in Wealth Disparity

OK - hold on for this.....the N.Y. Times reported last week that the U.S. ranks #3 in the world in wealth disparity.

Energy price increases, outsourcing, decreasing industrial sector, low personal income levels, inflation, terrible savings rates while debt is growing massively....and the U.S. debt is out of site - like maybe in the next galaxy. The middle class is getting squeezed....

"Other data shows that among major world economies, the United States in recent years has the third-greatest disparity in incomes between the very top and everyone else. Only Mexico and Russia, among major economies, have greater disparity."

Russia and Mexico. What in the world is going on. . .

Think we’re being tested? Yea, we’re being tested….but how will we come out on the other side?

It seems like its one challenge after another doesn’t it? First it was 9-11, then the wars in the Middle East….bombings in all parts of the world…the tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina, and now Rita.

It’s hard to really comprehend the tumultuous changes that seem to be pervading our world. We’ve absorbed enough shock and pain fort the entire 21st century – so stop!

Could it be that we just think there is more adversity because we weren’t privy to much in the way of current events before the press became so universal? Or, are we really living in a time of excessive adversity? Whatever the case, its time to think about our actions, clear our head and realize that we are living in a much larger world than our parents….it is clear that life on earth can have a domino effect.

Creating our future – oh yes we are - actions we take here in Texas might really jerk the chain of someone 5,000 miles away and vice versa. The short and long term success is up to us.

People are moving west to Texas! The population of Texas was already growing at warp speed – but now that Katrina hit, and now Rita, it is possible the state will grow by another huge chuck of people who might migrate from states far to the east. Financially this will be stressful on our already tight economy. So what do we do?

We start making smart decisions. We start making every penny count. We start being better parents, being good influences on those in our sphere, being accountable for our actions, acting responsibly. We make sure our children are healthy, strong and educated.

Start walking your talk today - quick putting it all off 'til tomorrow. Tomorrow is now today!

New laws regarding youth go into effect on September 1, 2005

They didn't fix the education problem - but the legislature did make some nice changes regarding minors and adults who serve minors - and they go into effect on Thursday, September 1, 2005. Among them:
1) High schools will now require students study Personal Finance classes as a prerequisite for graduation.
2) Finally, there is no excuse for adults who provide illegal alcohol to minors. Adults, other than close family members, who provide alcohol to minors are now liable
if the child harms, kills, or is killed as a result of being under the influence of the alcohol.
3) Vision, dental and mental health benefits have been restored as part of the Children's Health Program. this program serves more than 325,000 children in the state of Texas.

New Fox Series on Food Addiction

According to fox, this new series created by and starring Eric Schaeffer, "Starved" is"a comedic take on food addiction, which is used as the backdrop to the funny, romantic and personal misadventures of the four characters." This series features characters that suffer from anorexia, bulimia and compulsive over eating.

Schaeffer will star as a neurotic Wall Streeter living in Brooklyn who's friends with a bulimic cop (Sterling K. Brown, "Brown Sugar"), an overweight writer (Del Pentecost, "Kingdom Hospital") and an anorexic would-be songwriter (Broadway actress Laura Benanti, "Nine").

Advocacy groups are protesting - and surefire debate is stirring things up. Well, if you ask me - this subject has been only whispered about for too long. There is nothing funny about the issue...but the fact that we have kept quiet about it has made is a subject to write comedy about. Lets take the opportunity to discuss the problem of eating disorders...bring it to the forefront.

Please - lets not ignore this important subject. If you would like to learn more about eating disorders contact Dawn Montaner, Executive Director of Lifelines Foundation for Eating Disorders at dmontaner@lfed.org. And visit http://www.lfed.org

There you will learn the truth about anorexia and bulimia - and how you can save a life.

'The future will be different if we make the present different.'

These words spoken by Peter Maurin should encourage us all to keep going - 'The future will be different if we make the present different.' Think Education!

It's really important for our communities to gather together and speak on behalf of the education of our children. Education will not improve until we decide to improve it - not just debate it.

Our competitiveness in the world economy will henge on our ability to educate our children. And guess what? This will cost more money than we are spending on it and it will take more attention than we are giving to it. But, it comes down to this - if we want to remain strong and powerful leaders in the world, we must attend to the most important issue of all - education.

China - An Agenda For Success

Greetings! It is Monday in Shanghai, China….and I am enjoying both the ancient and magnificent new sites of an amazing country full of great anticipation for the future....a country that has decided to strategically plan to work together to build great cities, develop responsible communities, and improve the standard of living for their people.

The beautiful lacquered doors of China have been flung open and the world is invited to see the wonders of an exhilarating society in full bloom. Mao said, 'What the west has, China will have. And what the west does not have, China will also have.' Watch out westerners…they mean it. This country is buzzing with entrepreneurialism and positive forward movement.

How refreshing - Chinese newspapers are full of encouragement - stories of new business, new collaborations, new ideas for social change for the betterment of society, excitement over the impending Olympics in 2008, and fresh ideas to create growth and stimulation across China. No dwelling on negatives and spilt milk in this country – only the success of the nation. And so the ball keeps moving forward while growing stronger with the encouragement of the press.

It’s a time of momentous and phenomenal changes in China. After 2 decades, China has reinvented its economy to find new prosperity. In this short time, the people have learned not to rely on the state any more for sustenance and support. No whining either – they’re proud of their new autonomy and it’s an honor to have a job. The people have high hopes and display great ambition.

This fast-moving contemporary China has not forgotten the timeless cultural heritage of the country. Rich traditions are being preserved while the country marches fearlessly into the future. After 5,000 years of civilization, a new urban culture has evolved. And with it, a new generation of talented, liberal and open minded youth who, mixed with a plethora of colorful foreigners, share and discuss a worldly view of global affairs in China’s great international cities. Common concerns for humanity, the environment, world peace, and global partnerships are discussed openly in every corner of the country.

China’s economic agenda is to quadruple the 2002 gross domestic product by 2020 - and to do a good job managing the emerging society through intense strategic planning. Can you imagine managing a booming society that numbers over 1.3 billion people?

China's astonishing diversity is not a hindrance. While the country boasts 56 diverse ethnic groups, written script is actually pretty uniform throughout China. Many groups have their own language, although Mandarin is the dialect usually taught in the education system. The Reading the newspaper can be successful with just knowledge of about 1000 of the 50,000 Chinese characters in their dictionary.

Education. The China Daily Newspaper put it this way today. “The drive to build a harmonious society will not be achieved simply by continually expanding the economy – not even by balancing income distribution among different social groups. A factor that is often ignored, but is ultimately crucial for achieving that noble end, is the quality of education.” Just like the US, China is struggling to understand the best way to financially provide education for their youth, knowing as we do that education is the key to almost everything.

It has been a long march in the last few years for this noble and ancient land. And, it has been amazing watching their resilience and quick action. The ability to work fast - to analyze a situation, quickly come up with ideas to solve the it, try it out, and if it doesn’t work, quickly come up with another option, and so on until a viable method is developed. Bureaucracy doesn’t seem to slow things down here in China.

In contrast, the innovation that was so relevant in the development of the USA is not as spontaneous anymore. Mind you, it’s not just the US – most western cultures are suffering from dragging their feet.

You might ask – why is this and why are changes in the west taking so long? When we are losing our edge and so much is at stake, why are we procrastinating? The answer does not take rocket science to figure out. Changes can come slowly when there is internal resistance to change, when there is fear of change, when there are disputes, and when there is rigidity and competitiveness between rivals who cannot agree.

When people are flexible and open to new ideas – change can come fast. There is a word I have learned in China – its ‘guanxi’ – and it means ‘trusting relationship’. We need to build ‘guanxi’ in business rather than doing business with an eye on impending litigation. It’s all about the people – the cultural relationships and sensitivity that make trusting relationships. Throw in mutual respect and honor and you have success.

The Chinese team seems to be successful because everyone is on the same page. I believe that we can do this too.

Red and Charline McCombs Donate $30M to UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

The largest contribution ever made to support cancer research at the UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was made last week. $30M!

The University of Texas System Board of Regents (on July 8) formally accepted and thanked the San Antonio-based McCombs Foundation for the gift, which will help launch a long-term research initiative at M. D. Anderson.

Details of the research initiative will be announced Sept. 13 on the site of the new Red and Charline McCombs Institute for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer about 1.5 miles from the main M. D. Anderson campus. The McCombs family will be honored at the event. When completed, the McCombs Institute will be a $500 million enterprise devoted to exploring some of the most important new areas of cancer research and bringing many new jobs to Houston.

“Red, Charline, their daughter Marsha who oversees the family foundation, and their other daughters, Connie and Lynda, are extraordinary and successful people who have a tremendous commitment to giving back, and we are fortunate that they are so devoted to M. D. Anderson and its mission,” said President John Mendelsohn, M.D. “Red, Charline and their family foundation are giving us the opportunity to take our outstanding research programs to a new level that will enable us to bring the next era of cancer treatment, screening and early detection to our patients even sooner.”

Mr. McCombs has been involved with M. D. Anderson since 1986 when he became a member of the institution’s Board of Visitors. He was chairman of the board from 1995 to 1997 and has remained an active senior member of the board since his chairmanship. Since 1980, the McCombses have contributed to the George and Cynthia Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building, the George and Barbara Bush Endowment for Innovative Cancer Research and M. D. Anderson’s “Fulfill the Promise” capital campaign. Mrs. McCombs has been an active supporter of the Children’s Art Project and other patient care programs.

“We want to see M. D. Anderson’s slogan of ‘Making Cancer History®’ become a reality with the new cancer treatments, diagnostic tests and screenings that will be discovered in the coming decades,” said Mr. McCombs. “Cancer is the greatest thief to cross our borders, robbing Texas of its precious assets. Charline and I are proud that M. D. Anderson will be at the forefront of this new era in cancer care, early detection and treatment. This is a terrific place to stake our flag and impact future generations of patients.”

The McCombs Foundation was chartered in 1981 and has since donated to a variety of charitable, philanthropic, educational and humanitarian organizations. Several major beneficiaries in recent years include The University of Texas at Austin, which named the Red McCombs School of Business for its graduate; Southwestern University in Georgetown; and the Charline McCombs Empire Theater in San Antonio.

In addition to his volunteer leadership at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Mr. McCombs has led many national, state and local organizations including the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Development Board, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County and The University of Texas Longhorn Club. He formerly served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Southwestern University.

Mr. McCombs has been honored with many awards including the Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas at Austin, Longhorn of the Year and the Southwestern University Distinguished Alumnus Award. He has been inducted into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame, the National Automobile Association Dealers Hall of Fame, the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame.

2005 H-E-B Exellence in Education Award Winners Announced

Nine educators, principals, superintendents and a school district were awarded checks in Houston last Thursday night at the Intercontinental Hotel ballroom. H-E-B is celebrating our Texas teachers!

Teachers in the Rising Star category won $5,000 checks for themselves and their school. Teachers in the ledership category won $10,000 checks for themselves and their schools.
Teachers in the Lifetime Acheivment category won $25,000 for themselves and for their school.High School Prinicipals won $10,000 for themselves and $25,000 for their schools.
And finally, the new category for School Districts - the district winner took home $100,000 for their programs.

Look fo an article next week - full of interesting information about our precious teachers.

FATHER"S DAY 2005!

According the U.S. Census Bureau, Father's Day dates back to 1910 when it was conceived by a housewife in Spokane, Washington. The Mayor later proclaimed June 19th Father's Day.

In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed the 3rd day of every June Father's Day. and it has been celebrated annually since 1971, when President Nixon signed it into public law.

This makes me look at the facts:

- How many fathers are there out there? 66.3 M
- How many are part of married-couple families with children under 18? 26.5 M
- 21% are raising 3+ of thier own children under 18
- 11% are under 30
- 5% are 55 or older
- 2% live in the home of a relative or nonrelative
- 65% have an annual family income of $50,000 or more
- Howmany single fathers are there? 2.3 M (up from 393,000 in 1970)
- 10% are raising 3+ children under 18
- 42% are divorced
- 38% have never married
- 15% live in a home with a relative or nonrelative
- 21% have an annual family income of $50,000 or more
- How many are stay-at-home dads? 98,000
- 29% had their own children under 3 living with them
- 63% had 2 or more chldren
- 40% had an annual family income of $50,000 or over
- Howmany Father's Day cards will be sent this year? 95 M
- How many fathers provide child support? 4.6 M
- Median child support payments are $3,600 annually

AA's 70th Anniversary — June 10, 2005

"It was on this day 70 years ago that Dr. Robert Smith of Akron, Ohio, went the first time for an entire day without taking a drink. That event is considered the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, by Smith and New York stockbroker William Wilson. In the years since, AA has helped millions of people and now has some 2-million members in 150 countries. Membership is voluntary, and there are no dues or fees — only a shared desire to be sober. Nearly 734-thousand people are treated for alcoholism each year in the U.S.; and in over a third of fatal traffic accidents, there are high levels of blood alcohol present. The average American drinks some 22-gallons of beer annually, along with 2-gallons of wine and just over a gallon of distilled liquor. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau on the Web at http://www.census.gov/. " Info thanks to U.S. Census Bureau.

Is it a national phenomina? Are nonprofits having a hard time filling seats on their boards??

Nonprofits are having a hard time filling their board seats....it seems that there are several reasons. In some cases, what used to be a feel good proposition has turned into alot of grueling work that seem to revolved around finances and accounting.

- Some corporations have downsized and the xecutives left must focus on their jobs rather than a board/volunteer position.

- Others are jsut simply over-extended and time is so valuable.

- And then others just don't want to deal with the scrutiny that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has spilled over into the nonprofit arena.

An answer could be to look at small business for players - people who are jsut growing and want to get their name out there in the community. Sitting on a great nonprofit board can be a great asset to your resume.

2003 International Literacy & Lifeskills Survey Results

Just in from the National Center for Education Statistics:

‘Highlights from the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey’ (ALL), was released today by the Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the Institute of Education Sciences. It coincides with the release of the international results by
Statistics Canada and the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the international study sponsors.

The report shows that America’s adults performed worse than their counterparts in Bermuda, Norway, and Switzerland, but better than those in Italy. There was no measurable difference between the performance of Canadian and U.S. adults. ALL reports on the literacy and numeracy skills of adults ages 16-65 in six countries. A second phase of ALL, in which
additional countries are collecting data, is currently under way.

ALL is designed to answer questions about the extent to which adults can use information from written materials to understand text and tables and apply mathematics to solving problems likely encountered in real life.

It can address in addition the relationship of those skills to various economic, social, and personal characteristics. The United States also conducts a national survey of adult literacy that provides more detailed information and some state-level estimates of adult literacy skills,
results of which are scheduled for release later this year. Other findings from ALL:

There was no measurable difference in the literacy performance between men and women in Bermuda, Canada, Norway, or the United States. However, in Italy and Switzerland, men outscored women.

Men outscored women on the numeracy scale in every country. In the United States, men scored 15 points higher than women on the literacy scale.

White U.S. adults outscored Black, Hispanic, and other adults in both literacy and numeracy. There was no measurable difference between the performance of Blacks and Hispanics in literacy or numeracy.

To view, print, or download ‘Highlights from the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey’ (ALL), please visit:
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2005117

Sample items from the survey can be found online with the Highlights and
also at: NCES’ ALL website at:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/all

Women's History Month

Take a look at these wonderful links that the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin provides on their website addressing women's history and women's issues at
http://cimc.education.wisc.edu/ed_info/webliographies/womens_history.html.

You will be glad you did! There is a wealth of information - fun and informative.

University of Indiana School of Fundraising

I must admit - the last week has energized every part of my nonprofit soul. I was in Houston attending the University of Indiana Fundraising School for the better part of 5 days. Thinking I knew it all when I went - I was joyful and thrilled to realize how many new ideas the faculty had to offer, along with the highly experienced and incredibly interesting partcipants.

Many thanks to Guiamar F. Sandler, CFRE, one of the most charismatic and fascinating people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. She made learning creative and fun (and as we learned you remember so much more when the learning environment is fun) - so - I think I remember it all - and what I don't remember, I have in my HUGE RED NOTEBOOK (over 8 pounds!!! I just weighed it!) which is now precious to me! Also thank you to our very interesting and nice Ricardo Rodriguez, a native of Chicago who was transpanted to Texas - he had so much to offer us of the characteristics of giving.

Collaboration was also the name of the game with close to 30 interesting and fun participants from all over the country - from New York to Florida, to Oregon, and yes - about 9 from Texas. We bonded and shared wonderful success stories, creative problem solving, and communication techniques.

The Dallas Zoo was there - as was the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Natural Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, one of my alma maters - St Stephens School in Austin (TXNP), Katy Christian Ministries (TXNP), the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Montana, the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin (TXNP), The University of St. Thomas in Houston, the Mind Science Foundation in San Antonio (TXNP), the Mennonite Village Foundation in Oregon, Texas A&M University (TXNP), California Baptist Academy in California, and The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (TXNP), and so many more!

What powerful and creative people they were and how much I grew from meeting them all and having the opportunity to give and take with them. And along with the traditional methods of fundraising that were reinforced - many new trends and ideas were hashed out so that we could go back renewed and ready to hit the fundraising trail.

While it is not cheap - I think it is a huge bargain! I promise you that if you sent one or more of your staff to this program, you would break out of staleness, and bounce ahead full of new creativity and ideas. Plus - you would have one of the best teams in the world as your advocate and colleague - the University of Indiana! Take a look at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and their world renowned Fundraising School at http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/funds.html.

Oh - and by the way - charming Professor Guia owns a bed an breakfast on the Pacific Ocean in northern California called the Lost Whale Inn - I looked it up on the web and it is beautiful - crashing waves and all! Go look at www.lostwhaleinn.com. I am going to lasso my husband to set a date to visit that beautiful part of the country this spring!

This is the Type of Ad Corporations Should Broadcast

Reflecting on this ad that was broadcast during the Super Bowl, I still get goosebumps. Even the thought of it gives me chills. I want to share it with you if you haven't seen it.

I have felt this awe and respect as I pass our young military personnel in airports, or in restaurants. Living in San Antonio, I have the privilege of seeing them often.

Take a look at this beautiful representation of how we should honor and respect our soldiers and judge Anheuser Busch your self. Go to http://www.herosalute.com/cavatx/index.html to see what this company is doing to remember our service men and women in Texas and across the country. You can click into the ad there as well http://www.herosalute.com/cavatx/big_game_ad.html.

In my humble opinion, this quiet commercial says it all about patriotism and a great great company. Thank you for this powerful message!

Great Info on Appraisals - IRS Rules

IRS Publication 561, Page 9 says that these people arre specifically excluded for providing appraisals fo donated items:

1. The donor of the property or taxpayer claiming deduction
2. The donee of the property (i.e.- the museum)
3. A party to the transaction in which the donor acquired the property
(with exceptions)
4. Any person employed by, married to, or related to any of the above
5. An appraiser who appraises regularly for any of the above and who does
not perform a majority of their appraisals for other persons.

Think about this one....

When I get a bit frustrated, I renew myself by thinking about this great quote. You know, we all know in our hearts that success means giving that little extra push. The one that puts you across the finish line. This is invigorating to me!

"The one human quality that must be developed is self discipline forsuccess. The will power to force yourself to do what you know you should do when you should do it, whether you like it or not, whether you feel like it or not. Success is tons of discipline."-- Brian Tracy

New Higher Education Website

Thank you Alice White for letting us in on the know about a new website focusing on Higer Education. Go to Inside Higher Ed at http://insidehighered.com. Great information!

Cross in the City Helps Gang-Involved Youth

James Leslie, ED of Cross in the City in Pasadena wrote to us, "President Bush has called on the faith-based and community-based nonprofits to intervene in the lives of gang-involved youth in our country.

Cross in the City has been doing this work in the Pasadena, Texas area for 7 years. We are one of only two agencies in Harris County targeting youth in gangs, the other being the Houston Mayor's Anti-gang Taskforce. We are encouraged that the President has chosen to highlight this area of concern. The pain and suffering caused by juvenile crimes only worsen if a young gangmember continues that lifestyle into adulthood. Gang intervention and prevention save lives....and money.

Incarcerating one youth for a year in the Texas Youth Commission system costs about $45,000 and most youth stay longer than a year. The OJJDP released an estimate in the mid-nineties stating one person leading an average life of crime costs taxpayers in the millions in court costs, legal fees, incarceration costs, and lost wages. Per the OJJDP, gang members commit more crimes than their non-gang involved peers and those crimes are of a far more serious nature (assault, murder). We look forward to more organizations joining in the efforts to positively intervene in the lives of these youth."

NPO salaries up in 2004

According to the Annual Foundation Center Salary & Benefits Report, "last year, grantmakers received a median pay raise of 4 percent and chief executives at all types of foundations received a median salary of $110,000." The data used in the survey was gathered from 6,480 full-time employees and 808 foundations and giving programs.

Steve Murdock on Demographic Trends

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting with Steve Murdock, our Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Management Science and Statistics here at UTSA in San Antonio. Apparently, there is so much new information we need to look at.

Murdock said all the statistics are changing more rapidly than expected. We have diversified faster, and by 2003, Anglos were less than 50 percent of the population but they were still a larger proportion of the total population than are Hispanics.

You see, when the economy declined, our domestic migration decreased while at the same time, international migration increased. Combine these two factors with the fact that we have natural increases in Hispanic polulation - our demographics are changing rapidly.

So - what do we need to think about? Education & health - we have got to proactively put into place the tools to take care of low income families so they can participate in their communities.

Another intersting note from Murdock - The US comprises just 4-4 1/2% of the worlds population - Europe is just a tad bit ahead. And listen - statistics say that by 2020 India will be larger than China! India and China will hold most of the world's population soon.

New Association of Donor Relations Professionals

Kay Simpson of the Nature Conservancy suggests we go to see a website belonging to a new organization - http://adrp.net/. The new group is called the Association of Donor Relations Professionals and Kay, who is a Donor Relations Manager, is a charter member. "I think this is interesting, because it shows that there is a trend to acknowledge and appreciate the people who provide stewardship to donors. I guess nonprofit organizations are beginning to recognize that this is an important position, in and of itself.," said Kay.

And to echo Kay - take care of your donors and your donors will take care of you.

Nonprofits That Lobby....

An IRS letter has made it very plain that foundations may indeed fund nonprofits that lobby - take a look at the letter and learn some valuable tips on language to use at http://newswire.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20050125.135539&time=14%2041%20PST&year=2005&public=0.

New Guidelines to Good Health

2005 guidelines to good health tell us that we need to exercize at leat 60 minutes EACH DAY to maintain our weight - and 90 mintues to lose pounds! We need to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish! Lets start a trend of conscious healthy behavior and we will save lives!

US Aid for Tsunami Victims Huge

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, American relief charities have raised in excess of $597-million to aid victims of the earthquake and tsunamis in Asia. That amount now far exceeds the $350-million pledged by the United States government. So much money has come in that relief organizations have stopped actively raising money for relief efforts.

Music is Strumming Along in Texas

Austin has the Texas Music Museum, and has plans to build a Texas Hall of Fame to the tune of $25M, what a fundrasing campaign that will be!

Houston has been working toward raising money for a music museum to be called the Museum of Amercian Music History for 5 years. With $30 million in pledges, they are well on their way.

Now Dallas group Texas Music has signed on with the Dallas City Council to build The Texas Hall of Fame in Fair Park - a place that will focus on Texas artists with an emphasis onNorth Texas.

Stay tuned for more...:-)

Another Educational Website that Provides

Take a look at this Postsecondary Education English- Spanish Glossary. This Glossary promotes higher education to hispanics throughout the country. Take a look at:
http://www.tgslc.org/pdf/Spanish_glossary.pdf

New Education Website to See!

They say about 6 in 10 college students will graduate in 6 years. Take a look at www.collegeresults.org. This great interactive tool, created by the Education Trust, and funded by the Lumina Foundation, will allow you to learn more about graduation rates among US colleges and universties.